State News - LEGISLATIVE/briefly - February 17, 2001 02/17/01

AUSTIN  The Texas Agriculture Commissioner could appoint an advisory committee on the eradication of boll weevils with a bill filed by state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock.

Senate Bill 717 would give the commissioner authority to appoint an advisory committee to gather advice for the area the committee represents and then report back the findings back to the commissioner.

Committees will be appointed over areas that have an existing eradication program and that the commissioner feels needs extra attention to deal with their boll weevil infestation.

The committee will include a sufficient number of the area cotton growers to ensure farmers are properly represented, including at least one grower from each county in the eradication zone and anyone else the commissioner feels would benefit the committee.

Bill proposes liability immunity

AUSTIN  Employees and volunteers of nonprofit organizations that provide after-school, child-care programs would be given immunity from liability under a bill filed by state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock.

Senate Bill 735 would grant liability immunity to persons who worked without compensation at an after-school program for the school on campus or at a school-sponsored event off the school property.

This bill would not limit the liability of a person for intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

Bill places agencies under board

AUSTIN  State government agencies that handle major investment funds would come under the scrutiny of the Legislative Budget Board annually by having to submit an extensive report if a bill filed by state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock is passed.

Senate Bill 734 requires investment funds that are established by law or by the Texas Constitution, or funds that are set up for a public retirement system, death benefits and disability for officers and employees of the state, and investment funds for higher education or any other entity that is part of state government shall provide the board with any information the board requests regarding the fund.

That information will be compiled and published in common terms so anyone without experience in investing and accounting will be able to understand the report.

Bivins bill aimed at small towns

AUSTIN  Government officials living in small towns soon could be allowed to volunteer for organizations that protect the health, safety or welfare or the city if a bill filed by state Sen. Teel Bivins, R-Amarillo, is passed.

Senate Bill 738 would make it legal for a city official in a town of less than 10,000 people to serve in organizations from which the official would ordinarily be banned  such as a volunteer fire department  because the city pays all or part of the organization's cost.

The bill recognizes that small towns have special needs, and allows the towns to set their own restrictions on the policy.